Customer Reviews

Under the Night Sky

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This reminds me somewhat of a more grownup version of Ezra Jack Keats childrens' classic The Snowy Day. It captures all the wonder that only a kid can have of nature. But what really makes it special is the not the northern lights in the story, but the spontaneous community get together set in a realistic overworked world. It reminds us that not only do we sometimes take nature for granted, but our neighbors as well.

Great read, I've read it for all my kids.

I got this book as part of a unit on stars we were doing. I must say, it is a curious book. I am still not sure what to make of it. It is about a bunch of children being woken up in the middle of the night to watch the Northern Lights, and they are all taken up in the wonder. The book does a good job of portraying the awe of the display--the illustrations are dark and mysterious, and you get a strange sense of fantasy from it that is probably appropriate for anyone who is a committed naturist or stargazer.

On the other hand, I think it is trying too hard to be a coming-of-age or awakening story. The kids are being raised by a single mother who has come home from a late shift in a greasy factory. A whole bunch of working class parents are trying to surprise and enlighten their children through this magical experience. Then child and mother exchange a strange one-liner morality lesson in the midst of star-gazing... "When you get older, you and I might disagree about some things...Just remember these lights, how they dance." There are other overtones but nothing is developed enough to really understand what is going on. Another reviewer likened this story to Ezra Jack Keats' Snowy Day, and I think that's appropriate. Maybe "Stand and Deliver?" But it seemed a little cliche here for some reason.

Not that that is a dealbreaker. Actually my main criticism is that there is no explanation of the Northern Lights. I am not even sure it is mentioned by name, that that is what is going on. Maybe that was on purpose so the focus could just be the magical feelings inspired by the stars, but I would have found more value in the book had a little bit more information been injected in there. My kids had no idea what was going on.

Beautiful. Tingly. Important. Potent. Wonderful message about wakefulness, joy in the moment, the grace of sharing and the intimate bonds of family.

A young boy who lives in an apartment building located in the far north is surprised one late winter night when his mother comes home from work and instead of kissing him good night so that he can go to sleep she tells him to get up and get dressed quickly.

Along with their neighbors, Ms. Gallo and her three children, they rush downstairs and outside to sit on the roof of their old Mercury and join other neighbors to watch a spectacular phenomenon of nature. What is this celebration all about?

There are many things to like about this book which make it such an fascinating read. There is the joy of community, even in a northern climate during the coldest time of the year. There is also the bond of family when a mother and son share a special moment that they can remember with great happiness. But above all, there is the sense of wonder at the beauty of nature, including that special beauty offered to make up for the harshness of the long northern winter. The muted illustrations of Anna Rich help to emphasize this sense of wonder. And for those of who do not live so far north, there is the added benefit of information about the aurora borealis and why it occurs. Teachers and parents can visit the Tilbury House website for a special take home section to use with the book that features activities, discussion points, and further resources. Kudos to author Amy Lundebrek for such an engaging story.